You just got your first job and you couldn’t be happier. Now you just have to focus on your performance and doing your best for your managers. But that’s not the only thing that is going to make you a star employee. How you embrace and fit in with the culture of your company can also be a huge deal when it comes to how an employee is received over all. Welcome to the fascinating world of corporate culture!

Every company you work at will have a specific culture. Derek Chapman, a psychology professor at the University of Calgary and founder and president of CounterpartMatch.com, told Career Options Magazine that in order to stay in any job permanently, your values and goals need to be consistent with those of the company.“Ultimately it’s up to the employer to make sure that they hire people that fit their company,” he says. Now the employer should try to determine this during the interview process, but at the same time you should be looking and asking about the corporate culture of any company you are considering working for.

You can usually get a sense of an office just by walking around for a little while and observing how the people interact but you also need to talk to people. Here are a few more tips for navigating corporate culture at your first job.

Ask Questions

During your interview you need to ask about the company culture. Do they have fun traditions or office perks? Do you get along with your coworkers? Do you participate in company sports leagues or traditions? Do you wear purple on purple Thursday? Do you go to everyone’s favorite lunch place? Do people hang out outside the office? How are employee achievements recognized? The more you learn about the culture, the more you will be able to build your nice.

Look at the office

How is the office spread out? Is it all closed-off cubicles or is it open spaces with glass walls. And what’s hanging on the walls? Does the layout encourage interaction between departments? If you know that you work better in collaborative offices then you really need to look at this. If you need absolute silence than an open office could be your down fall. And if you are finding yourself in an environment that isn’t suitable to your work needs see what you can do to fix it.

Be social

This is the time to bring out those great social skills. The more friends you have at work, the stronger your network will be. This can be especially useful as office politics come into play. The more allies the better. Plus, showing that you are more than just a hard worker is really essential. You also need to show that you are a team player and interested in getting to know the people you work with.

Highlight your accomplishments

Do not be afraid to toot your own. This shows to both your boss and coworkers that you are strong and here to play and a valuable asset.

Learn to communicate well

You want to be able to speak your mind clearly and be articulate. Just make sure you have the goods to back it up. This not only shows that you understand the culture, but that you have leadership potential.

Be observant

To really navigate the corporate culture you need to really look at this company you are working for. What are your company’s values? Are short- or long-term results more valued? How are decisions made? Does the company like to take a lot of risk or play it safe? It can take a little while to determine the company culture, but never give up!